Solenoid valve shock absorber

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a fluid dynamics system includes a solenoid valve including a valve body including ports including an inlet and outlet port, and a valve cavity having a direction of elongation and configured to provide fluid connectivity between ones of the ports, a solenoid coil disposed around valve cavity, and a plunger including a permanent magnet, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation between a first and a second position in the valve cavity selectively controlling the fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, the valve body including shock absorber(s) to soften striking of the plunger against the valve body in the direction of elongation, and a controller configured to apply at least one current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger between the first and second position, and to selectively maintain the plunger in the first position and the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical systems, and in particular, butnot exclusively to, fluid dynamics in medical systems.

BACKGROUND

A cataract is a clouding and hardening of the eye's natural lens, astructure which is positioned behind the cornea, iris and pupil. Thelens is mostly made up of water and proteins and as people age theseproteins change and may begin to clump together obscuring portions ofthe lens. To correct this, a physician may recommend phacoemulsificationcataract surgery. In the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incisionin the sclera or cornea of the eye. Then a portion of the anteriorsurface of the lens capsule is removed to gain access to the cataract.The surgeon then uses a phacoemulsification probe, which has anultrasonic handpiece with a needle. The tip of the needle vibrates atultrasonic frequency to sculpt and emulsify the cataract while a pumpaspirates particles and fluid from the eye through the tip. Aspiratedfluids are replaced with irrigation of a balanced salt solution (BSS) tomaintain the anterior chamber of the eye. After removing the cataractwith phacoemulsification, the softer outer lens cortex is removed withsuction. An intraocular lens (IOL) is then introduced into the emptylens capsule restoring the patient's vision.

SUMMARY

There is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a fluid dynamics system, including a solenoid valveincluding a valve body including ports including an inlet port and anoutlet port, a valve cavity having a direction of elongation andconfigured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones of theports, and at least one shock absorber, a solenoid coil disposed in thevalve body around the valve cavity, and a plunger including a permanentmagnet, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction ofelongation between a first position and a second position in the valvecavity to selectively control the fluid connectivity between respectiveones of the ports, wherein the at least one shock absorber is configuredto soften striking of the plunger against the valve body in thedirection of elongation, and a controller configured to apply at leastone current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger betweenthe first position and the second position, and to selectively maintainthe plunger in the first position and the second position.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theplunger does not have a fixed rest position in the valve cavity.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe plunger does not include a restoring element configured to restorethe plunger to a fixed rest position.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe plunger will not remain in the first position and second positionwithout applying the at least one current to the solenoid coil.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theplunger will remain in the first position or the second position uponapplication of the at least one current to the solenoid coil.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thevalve body includes a first shock absorber and a second shock absorberconfigured to soften striking of the plunger against the valve body inthe direction of elongation when the plunger strikes the valve body atthe first position, and when the plunger strikes the valve body at thesecond position, respectively.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber do not include aspring.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber each includeresilient material.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theresilient material includes one or more selected from the groupconsisting of silicone rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, andpolyurethane.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thefirst shock absorber and the second shock absorber each include a flatsurface facing the plunger.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber each include arounded surface facing the plunger.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber each include aconical surface facing the plunger.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thecontroller is configured to apply a first current to the solenoid coilto activate the solenoid coil with a first polarity to cause the plungerto move and be maintained in the first position, and apply a secondcurrent to the solenoid coil to activate the solenoid coil with a secondopposite polarity to cause the plunger to move and be maintained in thesecond position.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thepermanent magnet has a center with respect to the direction ofelongation, the solenoid coil has a center with respect to the directionof elongation, and the valve body further includes a spacer coupled withthe first shock absorber, to prevent the center of the magnet frommoving in the direction of elongation past the center of the solenoidcoil and maintain asymmetry between the center of the solenoid coil andthe center of the permanent magnet with respect to the direction ofelongation.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurein the first position of the plunger, the plunger abuts the first shockabsorber.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure,the system includes a medical tool including the solenoid valve, anirrigation channel, an aspiration channel which traverses the solenoidvalve, and a sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of a fluidmetric in the aspiration channel, the controller being configured toselectively control the fluid connectivity in the aspiration channelbetween the inlet port and the outlet port responsively to the fluidmetric.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thefluid metric is a pressure level.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thecontroller is configured to detect a rate of change of the fluid metricin the aspiration channel, and reduce the fluid connectivity between theinlet port and the outlet port responsively to the detected rate ofchange passing a given rate of change.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe controller is configured to increase the fluid connectivity betweenthe inlet port and the outlet port responsively to the fluid metricpassing a given value.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe medical tool further includes a probe body including a horn, aneedle, a part of the irrigation channel and a section of the aspirationchannel, and a fluid dynamics cartridge configured to be reversiblyconnected to the probe body, and including the sensor and the solenoidvalve, which includes another section of the aspiration channel.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thefluid dynamics cartridge includes the controller.

There is also provided in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, a fluid dynamics system, including a solenoid valveincluding a valve body including ports including an inlet port and anoutlet port, a valve cavity having a direction of elongation andconfigured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones of theports, and at least one shock absorber, a solenoid coil disposed in thevalve body around the valve cavity, and a plunger including magneticmaterial, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction ofelongation between a first position and a second position in the valvecavity to selectively control the fluid connectivity between respectiveones of the ports, wherein the at least one shock absorber is configuredto soften striking of the plunger against the valve body in thedirection of elongation, wherein the at least one shock absorberincludes a conical surface facing the plunger.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theplunger does not have a fixed rest position in the valve cavity.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe plunger does not include a restoring element configured to restorethe plunger to a fixed rest position.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe plunger will not remain in the first position and second positionwithout applying at least one current to the solenoid coil.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theplunger will remain in the first position or the second position uponapplication of at least one current to the solenoid coil.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure thevalve body includes a first shock absorber and a second shock absorberconfigured to soften striking of the plunger against the valve body inthe direction of elongation when the plunger strikes the valve body atthe first position, and when the plunger strikes the valve body at thesecond position, respectively.

Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber do not include aspring.

Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurethe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber each includeresilient material.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure theresilient material includes one or more selected from the groupconsisting of silicone rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, andpolyurethane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of aphacoemulsification system constructed and operative in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-B are views of a probe for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of an interior of a fluid dynamics cartridgefor use in the probe of FIGS. 2A-B;

FIG. 3B is a cross-section of the fluid dynamics cartridge through lineB:B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-section of the fluid dynamics cartridge through lineC:C of FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 3D-E are schematic views of a shock absorber for use in thecartridge of FIG. 3C;

FIGS. 3F-G are cross-sectional views of alternative shock absorbers foruse in the cartridge of FIG. 3C;

FIGS. 4A-B are schematic views of a permanent magnet in a solenoid coil;

FIGS. 5A-B are schematic views of operation of a solenoid valve for usein the cartridge of FIGS. 3A-C; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart including steps in a method of operation of systemof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

During phacoemulsification of an eye lens, the emulsified lens particlesare aspirated. When a particle blocks the inlet of an aspiration channel(which could be in a needle of a phacoemulsification probe) causingocclusion of the channel, the vacuum in the channel increases. When thechannel becomes unblocked (e.g., by the particle being subsequentlysucked down the channel), the high vacuum in the channel causes anaspiration surge known as a post occlusion surge, which may havetraumatic consequences to the eye. For example, sensitive parts of theeye may be damaged or come into contact with the needle of thephacoemulsification probe.

A possible solution to the problem of vacuum level surge isincorporating an aspiration bypass. Such a bypass may consist of a smallhole or channel between an irrigation channel of the probe and theaspiration channel. When a blockage occurs, the high vacuum divertsirrigation fluid into the aspiration channel via the hole, therebylimiting the vacuum level.

However, the above-described bypass aspiration technique is still proneto produce a traumatic aspiration surge when the channel unblocks, sincethe high vacuum is present in a long tube (which being flexible may alsobe compressed adding to the vacuum problem) between a portion of theaspiration channel inside the emulsification probe and the aspirationpump, and that large, partially vacant volume, may therefore cause asurge when the occlusion breaks. Moreover, diversion of irrigation fluidmay cause an uncontrolled pressure-drop in the irrigation channel, whichmay also pose a risk to the eye.

Embodiments of the present invention generally solve the above problemsby removing or reducing the pressure difference in the aspirationchannel during the occlusion clearance. Embodiments of the presentinvention control fluid connectivity in the aspiration channel duringocclusion clearance using an extremely fast-acting and programmablesolenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil which movesa plunger including a permanent magnet in a valve cavity. Two parts ofthe aspiration channel are connected to the valve cavity via ports inthe valve cavity. Therefore, movement of the plunger in the valve cavitycontrols the fluid connectivity in the aspiration channel.

In some embodiments, the permanent magnet may be replaced by anysuitable magnetic material, which is subjected to a force in a magneticfield, for example, but not limited to, iron, cobalt, nickel,gadolinium, and/or neodymium.

The solenoid valve does not need a restoring element (such as a spring)to keep the plunger in a rest position when a current is not applied tothe solenoid coil. An electric current needs to be applied to thesolenoid coil to selectively open the valve and keep the valve open, andto close the valve and keep the valve closed. If a current is notsupplied to the solenoid coil, the position of the plunger may beunstable and unknown. Using a solenoid valve without a restoring elementallows the plunger to be moved quickly with a selected force, whileminimizing electrical power needed to open or close the valve therebyreducing heat generated by the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve isopened and closed by changing the polarity of the solenoid coil bychanging the direction of the current applied to the solenoid coil.

In some embodiments, a spacer is placed in the path of the plungerpreventing a center of the permanent magnet of the plunger (with respectto a direction of elongation of the valve cavity) from being alignedwith a center of the solenoid coil (with respect to a direction ofelongation of the valve cavity). In this asymmetrical state, thepermanent magnet is not subjected to unstable forces from the solenoidcoil and the plunger can be moved from one position to another bychanging the polarity of the solenoid coil thereby providing a quick andeffective opening and closing of the solenoid valve.

As the opening and closing of the solenoid valve is performed quicklyand sometimes the solenoid valve is repeatedly opened and closed manytimes a second, the plunger may strike against a body of the valvecausing a loud noise and vibration of a medical tool (such as aphacoemulsification probe) in which the valve is operating. The noiseand vibration are disturbing for the physician operating the tool aswell as making it difficult for the physician to steadily hold the tool.Therefore, in some embodiments, the solenoid valve includes one or moreshock absorbers to soften the striking of the plunger against the valvebody in the direction of elongation. The solenoid valve may include twoshock absorbers placed at either end of the valve cavity to soften thestriking of the plunger against the valve body as the plunger moves fromone extreme to another within the valve cavity. The shock absorbers donot typically include springs. The shock absorbers are generally formedfrom a resilient material such as silicone rubber, natural rubber,synthetic rubber, or polyurethane. The shock absorbers may have anysuitable shape. The shock absorbers include a surface which faces theplunger in use. This surface may have any suitable shape, for example, aflat surface, a rounded surface, or a conical surface.

In some embodiments, a sensor (e.g., pressure sensor, flow sensor, orany suitable sensor) connected to or coupled with the aspiration channelprovides a signal indicative of a fluid metric (e.g., pressure level) inthe aspiration channel and a controller selectively controls fluidconnectivity along the aspiration channel by applying a suitable currentto the solenoid coil to selectively open or close the solenoid valve. Insome embodiments, when the controller detects a rate of change in thefluid metric (e.g., pressure level) in the aspiration channel passing(e.g., exceeding) a given rate of change, which is indicative of anocclusion breaking, the controller reduces fluid connectivity in theaspiration channel by closing the solenoid valve quickly (for example,in 10 milliseconds or less) thereby isolating the eye from the vacuumcreated in a majority of the aspiration channel and/or aspiration lineuntil the pressure in the aspiration channel and/or aspiration linereturns to a desired and/or safe pressure. The pressure in theaspiration channel may be changed, in a non-time critical manner, byadjusting or stopping an aspiration pump acting on the aspirationchannel and/or by externally venting the aspiration line, and/or anyother suitable method. Once the fluid metric (e.g., pressure level) inthe aspiration channel passes a given value (e.g., given pressurelevel), the controller reopens the solenoid valve without causing avacuum surge which could damage the eye.

In some embodiments, in addition to being linear, the solenoid valve issmall and may be produced at low-cost thereby allowing the valve to bedisposed of after use. Therefore, in some embodiments, the valve doesnot need to withstand repeated sterilization. The valve may be housed ina cartridge which is reversibly connected to the phacoemulsificationprobe and aspiration and irrigation tubes. The cartridge may then beremoved from the probe and tubes after use for cleaning or disposal.

In some embodiments, sensors (e.g., a pressure sensor for the aspirationchannel and a pressure sensor for the irrigation channel) may beincluded in the cartridge). Including the sensors in the cartridge mayprovide higher sensitivity to local changes in fluid dynamics andprovide a higher degree of control of the pressure in the eye.

In some embodiments, the controller is also included in the cartridge.Including the controller in the cartridge may allow the controller to beconfigured for the calibration of the solenoid valve. Additionally, oralternatively, including the controller in the cartridge allows thecontroller to be close to the sensor or sensors which may be providinganalog signals that could degrade if the signals needed to travel over acable to a remote console in which the controller may otherwise beinstalled.

System Description

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly blockdiagram view of a phacoemulsification system 10 constructed andoperative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The phacoemulsification system 10 comprises a phacoemulsification probe12 (e.g., handpiece). In some embodiments, the phacoemulsification probe12 may be replaced by any suitable medical tool. As seen in thepictorial view of phacoemulsification system 10, and in inset 25,phacoemulsification probe 12 comprises a needle 16, a probe body 17, anda coaxial irrigation sleeve 56 that at least partially surrounds needle16 and creates a fluid pathway between the external wall of the needleand the internal wall of the irrigation sleeve, where needle 16 ishollow to provide an aspiration channel. Moreover, irrigation sleeve 56may have one or more side ports at, or near, the distal end to allowirrigation fluid to flow towards the distal end of thephacoemulsification probe 12 through the fluid pathway and out of theport(s).

Needle 16 is configured for insertion into a lens capsule 18 of an eye20 of a patient 19 by a physician 15 to remove a cataract. While theneedle 16 (and irrigation sleeve 56) are shown in inset 25 as a straightobject, any suitable needle may be used with phacoemulsification probe12, for example, a curved or bent tip needle commercially available fromJohnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., USA.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, during the phacoemulsification procedure, apumping sub-system 24 comprised in a console 28 pumps irrigation fluidfrom an irrigation reservoir (not shown) to the irrigation sleeve 56 toirrigate the eye 20. The irrigation fluid is pumped via an irrigationtubing line 43 running from the console 28 to an irrigation channel 45of probe 12, the distal end of the irrigation channel 45 including thefluid pathway in the irrigation sleeve 56. The irrigation tubing line 43is typically flexible and may be prone to collapsing during an occlusionof the needle 16. In another embodiment, the pumping sub-system 24 maybe coupled or replaced with a gravity fed irrigation source such as abalanced salt solution (BSS) bottle/bag.

Eye fluid and waste matter (e.g., emulsified parts of the cataract) areaspirated via an aspiration channel 47, which extends from the hollow ofneedle 16 through the phacoemulsification probe 12, and then via anaspiration tubing line 46 to a collection receptacle in the console 28.The aspiration is affected by a pumping sub-system 26, also comprised inconsole 28.

System 10 may include a fluid dynamics cartridge 50 (which in anembodiment, may be removable), which may include one or more valves toregulate the flow of fluid in the irrigation channel 45 and/oraspiration channel 47 as well as sensors, described in more detail withreference to FIGS. 2A-6. Part of the irrigation channel 45 and theaspiration channel 47 is disposed in the probe body 17 and part isdisposed in the cartridge 50.

Phacoemulsification probe 12 includes other elements, such as apiezoelectric crystal 52 coupled to a horn 54 to drive vibration ofneedle 16. The piezoelectric crystal is configured to vibrate needle 16in a resonant vibration mode. The vibration of needle 16 is used tobreak a cataract into small pieces during a phacoemulsificationprocedure. Console 28 comprises a piezoelectric drive module 30, coupledwith the piezoelectric crystal 52, using electrical wiring running in acable 33. Drive module 30 is controlled by a controller 38 and conveysprocessor-controlled driving signals via cable 33 to, for example,maintain needle 16 at maximal vibration amplitude. The drive module maybe realized in hardware or software, for example, in aproportional-integral-derivative (PID) control architecture. Thecontroller 38 may also be configured to receive signals from sensors inthe phacoemulsification probe 12 and control one or more valves toregulate the flow of fluid in the irrigation channel 45 and/or theaspiration channel 47, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 6. In some embodiments, at least some of the functionality of thecontroller 38 may be implemented using a controller disposed in thephacoemulsification probe 12 (e.g., the cartridge 50).

Controller 38 may receive user-based commands via a user interface 40,which may include setting a vibration mode and/or frequency of thepiezoelectric crystal 52, and setting or adjusting an irrigation and/oraspiration rate of the pumping sub-systems 24/26. In some embodiments,user interface 40 and a display 36 may be combined as a single touchscreen graphical user interface. In some embodiments, the physician 15uses a foot pedal (not shown) as a means of control. Additionally, oralternatively, controller 38 may receive the user-based commands fromcontrols located in a handle 21 of probe 12.

Some or all of the functions of controller 38 may be combined in asingle physical component or, alternatively, implemented using multiplephysical components. These physical components may comprise hard-wiredor programmable devices, or a combination of the two. In someembodiments, at least some of the functions of controller 38 may becarried out by suitable software stored in a memory 35 (as shown in FIG.1). This software may be downloaded to a device in electronic form, overa network, for example. Alternatively, or additionally, the software maybe stored in tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media,such as optical, magnetic, or electronic memory.

The system shown in FIG. 1 may include further elements which areomitted for clarity of presentation. For example, physician 15 typicallyperforms the procedure using a stereo microscope or magnifying glasses,neither of which are shown. Physician 15 may use other surgical tools inaddition to probe 12, which are also not shown in order to maintainclarity and simplicity of presentation.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A-B, which are views of thephacoemulsification probe 12 for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. FIG.2A shows the cartridge 50, which is configured to be reversibly attached(using a clip 51) to the probe body 17 of the phacoemulsification probe12. FIG. 2B shows the cartridge 50 detached from the probe body 17. FIG.2B shows ports 60 of the irrigation channel 45 and the aspirationchannel 47 on the probe body 17 for connecting with corresponding ports(not shown in FIG. 2B, but shown in FIG. 3A) of the cartridge 50. FIG.2B also shows irrigation tubing line 43 and aspiration tubing line 46connected to ports 62 of the cartridge 50.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-C. FIG. 3A is a schematic view of aninterior of a fluid dynamics cartridge 50 for use in thephacoemulsification probe 12 of FIGS. 2A-B. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectionof the fluid dynamics cartridge 50 through line B:B of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3Cis a cross-section of the fluid dynamics cartridge 50 through line C:Cof FIG. 3A.

The phacoemulsification probe 12 may include sensors 68, and 70 (whichmay be pressure sensors), and a solenoid valve 64. In some embodiments,the cartridge 50 includes: the solenoid valve 64, which includes ports62 for connection to the irrigation tubing line 43 and aspiration tubingline 46, ports 66 for connection to the ports 60 (FIG. 2B), and sectionsof the irrigation channel 45 and aspiration channel 47; the sensor 68connected to the irrigation channel 45; and the sensor 70 connected toaspiration channel 47 on the console 28 side of the solenoid valve 64(as shown in FIG. 3C). The sensor 68 and the sensor 70 are configured toprovide respective signals indicative of respective fluid metrics (e.g.,pressure levels) in the irrigation channel 45 and in the aspirationchannel 47. The aspiration channel 47 traverses the solenoid valve 64.

Including the sensors 68, 70 in the cartridge 50 may provide highersensitivity to local changes in fluid dynamics and provide a higherdegree of control of the pressure in the eye.

The phacoemulsification probe 12 may include a controller 74 to receivethe signal(s) from the pressure sensor 68 and/or the pressure sensor 70,and control the fluid connectivity in the irrigation channel 45 and/orthe aspiration channel 47 by selectively opening and closing thesolenoid valve 64, responsively to the received signal(s). In someembodiments, the cartridge 50 may also include the controller 74 and/ora memory 76 (e.g., EEPROM) to hold calibration settings and/or a usagecounter to count usage of the cartridge 50 and thereby prevent overuseof the cartridge 50. In some embodiments, the controller 74 may beincluded in the console 28 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, thefunctionality of the controller 74 may be performed by the controller38. Including the controller 74 in the cartridge 50 may allow thecontroller to be configured for the calibration of the solenoid valve64. Additionally, or alternatively, including the controller 74 in thecartridge 50 allows the controller to be close to the sensors 68, 70which may be providing analog signals that could degrade if the signalsneeded to travel over the cable 33 to the console 28 in which thecontroller 74 may otherwise be installed.

The cartridge 50 is compact and may be any suitable size. In someembodiments, the cartridge 50 may fit into a cube of 2.5 cm sides.

The aspiration channel 47 includes a section 47-1 coupled to an inletport 66-1 and a section 47-2 coupled to an outlet port 62-1 (as shown inFIG. 3C). The controller 74 is configured to control the fluidconnectivity in the aspiration channel 47 between the inlet port 66-1and the outlet port 62-1 by selectively opening and closing the solenoidvalve 64, responsively to the fluid metric (e.g., pressure level) in theaspiration channel 47. It should be noted that when the solenoid valve64 is closed, the sensor 70 shown in FIG. 3C is configured to sense afluid metric (e.g., pressure level) in the section 47-2 between thesolenoid valve 64 and the console 28.

The solenoid valve 64 and its operation is now described in more detail.The solenoid valve 64 includes a valve body 78, a solenoid coil 80, anda plunger 82.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3C. The valve body 78 includes the ports62, the ports 66, a valve cavity 84 having a direction of elongation 86and configured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones ofthe ports 62, 66 (e.g., between the inlet port 66-1 and outlet port62-1). The solenoid coil 80 is disposed in the valve body 78 aroundvalve cavity 84. The plunger 82 includes a permanent magnet 88. Thepermanent magnet 88 may comprise all of, or only part of, the plunger82. For example, the plunger 82 may include the permanent magnet 88coated or covered with a material of low friction. The plunger 82 isconfigured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongation 86between a position 90 and a position 92 in the valve cavity 84selectively controlling the fluid connectivity between respective onesof the ports 62, 66 (e.g., between the inlet port 66-1 and outlet port62-1). In some embodiments, the permanent magnet 88 may be replaced byany suitable magnetic material, which is subjected to a force in amagnetic field, for example, but not limited to, iron, cobalt, nickel,gadolinium, and/or neodymium.

The plunger 82 may have any suitable size, for example, a length in therange of 3 mm to 2 cm (e.g., 6 mm) and a diameter in the range of 1 mmto 1 cm (e.g., 3 mm). The valve body 78 may include a spacer 94described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5A-B below.

As the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 64 is performed quicklyand sometimes the solenoid valve 64 is repeatedly opened and closed manytimes a second (as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6),the plunger 82 may strike against the valve body 78 causing a loud noiseand vibration of the phacoemulsification probe 12. The noise andvibration are disturbing for the physician 15 (FIG. 1) operating thephacoemulsification probe 12 as well as making it difficult for thephysician 15 to steadily hold the phacoemulsification probe 12.Therefore, the solenoid valve 64 includes one or more shock absorbers 96configured to soften the striking of the plunger 82 against the valvebody 78 in the direction of elongation 86. The solenoid valve mayinclude two shock absorbers 96 (as shown in FIG. 3C) placed at eitherend of the valve cavity 84 configured to soften the striking of theplunger 82 against the valve body 78 as the plunger 82 moves in thedirection of elongation 86 from one extreme of the valve body 78 toanother (e.g., from position 90 to position 92, and vice-versa) withinthe valve cavity 84. The shock absorbers 96 do not typically includesprings. The shock absorbers 96 generally comprise, or are generallyformed from, a resilient material such as silicone rubber, naturalrubber, synthetic rubber, or polyurethane. In FIG. 3C, the upper shockabsorber 96 forms part of the spacer 94.

The controller 74 (FIGS. 3A-B) is configured to apply at least onecurrent to the solenoid coil 80 to selectively move the plunger 82between the position 90 and the position 92, and to selectively maintainthe plunger in the position 90 and the position 92, as described belowin more detail with reference to FIGS. 5A-B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3D-E, which are schematic views of theshock absorber 96 for use in the cartridge 50 of FIG. 3C. Each shockabsorber 96 includes a flat surface 97 facing the plunger 82 (FIG. 3C).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3F-G, which are cross-sectional views ofalternative shock absorbers 91, 93 for use in the cartridge 50 of FIG.3C. Two shock absorbers 91 or two shock absorber 93 (or any suitablecombination) may be used in the solenoid valve 64 instead of the shockabsorbers 96. The shock absorber 91 of FIG. 3F includes a conicalsurface 95 facing the plunger 82. The shock absorber 93 of FIG. 3Gincludes a rounded surface 99 facing the plunger 82.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-B, which are schematic views of apermanent magnet 98 in a solenoid coil 100.

In the configuration of FIG. 4A, the polarity of the solenoid coil 100is in the same direction as the polarity of the permanent magnet 98. Insuch a configuration, if a center 102 of the permanent magnet 98 ismoved a little away from a center 104 of the solenoid coil 100, thepermanent magnet 98 will oscillate around the center 104 of the solenoidcoil 100 until the permanent magnet 98 settles so that the center 102 ofthe permanent magnet 98 is aligned with the center 104 of the solenoidcoil 100. The permanent magnet 98 therefore rests in a stable positionwith respect to the solenoid coil 100.

In the configuration of FIG. 4B, the polarity of the solenoid coil 100is in the opposite direction to the polarity of the permanent magnet 98.In such a configuration, if the center 102 of the permanent magnet 98 ismoved a little away from the center 104 of the solenoid coil 100, thepermanent magnet 98 will continue to move in that direction. Thepermanent magnet 98 in FIG. 4B is therefore in an unstable position withrespect to the solenoid coil 100.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-B, which are schematic views ofoperation of the solenoid valve 64 for use in the cartridge 50 of FIGS.3A-C.

The plunger 82 is configured to move back-and-forth along the directionof elongation 86 between position 92 and position 90 in the valve cavity84 selectively controlling the fluid connectivity between respectiveones of the ports 66, 62. The controller 74 (FIGS. 3A-B) is configuredto apply current to the solenoid coil 80 to selectively move the plunger82 between the position 92 and position 90, and to selectively maintainthe plunger in the position 92 and position 90. FIG. 5A shows theplunger 82 in position 92 blocking fluid connectivity in the aspirationchannel 47. FIG. 5B shows the plunger 82 in position 90 allowing fluidconnectivity in the aspiration channel 47.

The plunger 82 does not have a fixed rest position in the valve cavity84. Even though in some orientations the plunger 82 may fall in one ofthe positions 92, 94 due to gravity, if the solenoid valve 64 isorientated differently the plunger 84 may fall to a different position.The plunger 82 does not include a restoring element (e.g., spring)configured to restore the plunger 82 to a fixed rest position. Theplunger will not always remain in the position 92 or position 90 (e.g.,if the orientation of the phacoemulsification probe 12 is changed)without applying current to the solenoid coil 80. In other words, forthe solenoid valve 64 to function correctly, a current is applied to thesolenoid coil 80 whether the solenoid valve 64 is to remain open orclosed. The plunger 82 will remain in the position 90 or the position 92upon application of current to the solenoid coil 80.

The controller 74 is configured to apply a current to the solenoid coil80 to activate the solenoid coil 80 with a polarity to cause the plunger82 to move and be maintained in the position 92 as shown in FIG. 5A. Thecontroller 74 is configured to apply an opposite current to the solenoidcoil 80 to activate the solenoid coil 80 with an opposite polarity tocause the plunger 82 to move and be maintained in the position 90 asshown in FIG. 5B.

The permanent magnet 88 has a center 106 with respect to the directionof elongation 86. The solenoid coil 80 has a center 108 with respect tothe direction of elongation 86.

The valve body 78 includes the spacer 94 to prevent the center 106 ofthe magnet 88 moving in the direction of elongation 86 past the center108 of the solenoid coil 80. Therefore, the spacer 94 maintainsasymmetry between the center 108 of the solenoid coil 80 and the center106 of the permanent magnet 88 with respect to the direction ofelongation 86 so that the centers 106, 108 are never aligned withrespect to the direction of elongation 86. The above asymmetry isdesirable to allow movement of the permanent magnet 88 within the valvecavity 84 to be controlled and the maintained position of the permanentmagnet 88 at the position 90 to be stable (as explained above withreference to FIGS. 4A-B). When plunger 82 is in position 90, plunger 82abuts spacer 94 (see FIG. 5B).

The spacer 94 includes the upper shock absorber 96. When plunger 82 isin position 92, plunger 82 abuts the lower shock absorber 96, and whenplunger 82 is in position 90, plunger 82 abuts the upper shock absorber96. The upper and lower shock absorbers 96 are configured to softenstriking of the plunger 82 against the valve body 78 in the direction ofelongation 86 when the plunger 82 strikes the valve body 78 at position90, and when the plunger 82 strikes the valve body 78 at position 92,respectively.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart 200 includingsteps in an exemplary method of operation of system 10 of FIG. 1.Reference is also made to FIG. 3C.

The controller 74 is configured to apply (block 202) a current to thesolenoid coil 80 to activate the solenoid coil 80 with a polarity tocause the plunger 82 to move and be maintained in the position 90 sothat the solenoid valve 64 is open (and kept open) and there is fluidconnectivity along the aspiration channel 47.

The controller 74 is configured to selectively control (block 204) thefluid connectivity responsively to a measured fluid metric (e.g., asensed fluid flow or pressure level) in the phacoemulsification probe12. In some embodiments, the controller 74 is configured to selectivelycontrol the fluid connectivity responsively to the fluid metric from theone or more sensors 68, 70 coupled with aspiration channel 47. In thisembodiment, the sensor(s) detect a change in pressure, but this methodis applicable to other types of sensors known in the art. The step ofblock 204 is now described in more detail with reference to sub-steps ofblocks 206-230.

The controller 74 is configured to receive a signal indicative of thefluid metric (e.g., pressure level) in the aspiration channel 47 fromthe sensor 70 (block 206). The controller 74 is configured to detect arate of change of the fluid metric (e.g., pressure level) in theaspiration channel 47 responsively to the received signal (block 208).At a decision block 210, the controller 74 is configured to determine ifthe rate of change passes (e.g., exceeds) a given rate of change. If therate of change does not pass (e.g., exceed) the given rate of change(branch 212), the method returns to the sub-step of block 206. If therate of change passes (e.g., exceeds) the given rate of change (branch214), the controller 74 is configured to reduce the fluid connectivity(block 216) between the inlet port 66-1 and the outlet port 62-1. Thesub-step of block 216 may include the controller 74 being configured toapply a current to the solenoid coil 80 to activate the solenoid coil 80with an opposite polarity to cause the plunger 82 to move and bemaintained in the position 92 (block 218). The solenoid valve 64 isclosed and kept closed thereby blocking fluid connectivity in theaspiration channel 47 at the location of the plunger 82 therebyisolating the eye from the aspiration tubing line 46 (FIG. 1) andprotecting the eye from a vacuum surge.

In some embodiments, rather than the solenoid valve 64 closingcompletely and fast, the solenoid valve 64 may be controlled to closepartially and/or slowly. In some embodiments, the activation of thesolenoid valve 64 may also be controlled according to pressure, flow,temperature, or a combination of these type of sensed parameters.

The controller 74 is configured to reduce the vacuum in the aspirationtubing line 46 (block 220) (and the portion of the aspiration channel 47between the solenoid valve 64 and the aspiration tubing line 46), forexample, by reducing the action of the pumping sub-system 26, or openinga vent in the aspiration tubing line 46 or in the aspiration channel 47.The controller 74 is configured to detect the fluid metric (e.g.,pressure level) in the aspiration channel 47 responsively to signalreceived from the sensor 70 (block 222). At a decision block 224, thecontroller 74 is configured to determine if the fluid metric (e.g.,pressure level) passes (e.g., exceeds) a given value (e.g., givenpressure level). If fluid metric (e.g., pressure level) does not pass(e.g., exceed) the given value (e.g., given pressure level) (branch226), the sub-step of block 220 is repeated. If the fluid metric (e.g.,pressure level) passes (e.g., exceeds) the given value (e.g., givenpressure level) (branch 228), the controller 74 is configured toincrease (block 230) the fluid connectivity between the inlet port 66-1and the outlet port 62-1 responsively to the fluid metric (e.g.,pressure level) passing (e.g., exceeding) a given value (e.g., givenpressure level), for example, the step of block 202 is repeated.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” for any numericalvalues or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allowsthe part or collection of components to function for its intendedpurpose as described herein. More specifically, “about” or“approximately” may refer to the range of values±20% of the recitedvalue, e.g., “about 90%” may refer to the range of values from 72% to108%.

Various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described inthe contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combinationin a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the inventionwhich are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodimentmay also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and thepresent invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention includes bothcombinations and sub-combinations of the various features describedhereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which wouldoccur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid dynamics system, comprising: a solenoidvalve comprising: a valve body comprising ports including an inlet portand an outlet port, a valve cavity having a direction of elongation andconfigured to provide fluid connectivity between respective ones of theports, and at least one shock absorber; a solenoid coil disposed in thevalve body around the valve cavity; and a plunger comprising a permanentmagnet, and configured to move back-and-forth along the direction ofelongation between a first position and a second position in the valvecavity to selectively control the fluid connectivity between respectiveones of the ports, wherein the at least one shock absorber is configuredto soften striking of the plunger against the valve body in thedirection of elongation; and a controller configured to apply at leastone current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger betweenthe first position and the second position, and to selectively maintainthe plunger in the first position and the second position.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the plunger does not have a fixed restposition in the valve cavity.
 3. The system according to claim 1,wherein the plunger does not include a restoring element configured torestore the plunger to a fixed rest position.
 4. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the plunger will not remain in the first position andsecond position without applying the at least one current to thesolenoid coil.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plungerwill remain in the first position or the second position uponapplication of the at least one current to the solenoid coil.
 6. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a firstshock absorber and a second shock absorber configured to soften strikingof the plunger against the valve body in the direction of elongationwhen the plunger strikes the valve body at the first position, and whenthe plunger strikes the valve body at the second position, respectively.7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first shock absorber andthe second shock absorber do not include a spring.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 7, wherein the first shock absorber and the secondshock absorber each comprise resilient material.
 9. The system accordingto claim 8, wherein the resilient material comprises one or moreselected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, synthetic rubber,natural rubber, and polyurethane.
 10. The system according to claim 6,wherein the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber eachinclude a flat surface facing the plunger.
 11. The system according toclaim 6, wherein the first shock absorber and the second shock absorbereach include a rounded surface facing the plunger.
 12. The systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the first shock absorber and the secondshock absorber each include a conical surface facing the plunger. 13.The system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configuredto: apply a first current to the solenoid coil to activate the solenoidcoil with a first polarity to cause the plunger to move and bemaintained in the first position; and apply a second current to thesolenoid coil to activate the solenoid coil with a second oppositepolarity to cause the plunger to move and be maintained in the secondposition.
 14. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the permanentmagnet has a center with respect to the direction of elongation; thesolenoid coil has a center with respect to the direction of elongation;and the valve body further comprises a spacer coupled with the firstshock absorber, to prevent the center of the magnet from moving in thedirection of elongation past the center of the solenoid coil andmaintain asymmetry between the center of the solenoid coil and thecenter of the permanent magnet with respect to the direction ofelongation.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein in the firstposition of the plunger, the plunger abuts the first shock absorber. 16.The system according to claim 1, further comprising a medical toolincluding the solenoid valve, an irrigation channel, an aspirationchannel which traverses the solenoid valve, and a sensor configured toprovide a signal indicative of a fluid metric in the aspiration channel,the controller being configured to selectively control the fluidconnectivity in the aspiration channel between the inlet port and theoutlet port responsively to the fluid metric.
 17. The system accordingto claim 16, wherein the fluid metric is a pressure level.
 18. Thesystem according to claim 16, wherein the controller is configured todetect a rate of change of the fluid metric in the aspiration channel,and reduce the fluid connectivity between the inlet port and the outletport responsively to the detected rate of change passing a given rate ofchange.
 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the controller isconfigured to increase the fluid connectivity between the inlet port andthe outlet port responsively to the fluid metric passing a given value.20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the medical tool furthercomprises: a probe body comprising a horn, a needle, a part of theirrigation channel and a section of the aspiration channel; and a fluiddynamics cartridge configured to be reversibly connected to the probebody, and comprising the sensor and the solenoid valve, which comprisesanother section of the aspiration channel.
 21. The system according toclaim 20, wherein the fluid dynamics cartridge comprises the controller.22. A fluid dynamics system, comprising a solenoid valve including: avalve body comprising ports including an inlet port and an outlet port,a valve cavity having a direction of elongation and configured toprovide fluid connectivity between respective ones of the ports, and atleast one shock absorber; a solenoid coil disposed in the valve bodyaround the valve cavity; and a plunger comprising magnetic material, andconfigured to move back-and-forth along the direction of elongationbetween a first position and a second position in the valve cavity toselectively control the fluid connectivity between respective ones ofthe ports, wherein the at least one shock absorber is configured tosoften striking of the plunger against the valve body in the directionof elongation, wherein the at least one shock absorber includes aconical surface facing the plunger.
 23. The system according to claim22, wherein the plunger does not have a fixed rest position in the valvecavity.
 24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the plunger doesnot include a restoring element configured to restore the plunger to afixed rest position.
 25. The system according to claim 22, wherein theplunger will not remain in the first position and second positionwithout applying at least one current to the solenoid coil.
 26. Thesystem according to claim 22, wherein the plunger will remain in thefirst position or the second position upon application of at least onecurrent to the solenoid coil.
 27. The system according to claim 22,wherein the valve body includes a first shock absorber and a secondshock absorber configured to soften striking of the plunger against thevalve body in the direction of elongation when the plunger strikes thevalve body at the first position, and when the plunger strikes the valvebody at the second position, respectively.
 28. The system according toclaim 27, wherein the first shock absorber and the second shock absorberdo not include a spring.
 29. The system according to claim 28, whereinthe first shock absorber and the second shock absorber each compriseresilient material.
 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein theresilient material comprises one or more selected from the groupconsisting of silicone rubber, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, andpolyurethane.